George “Georgie” Chatzopoulos of Chips Family Restaurants passed away today after a year long battle with brain cancer. He was 55. George started his original restaurant in Orange and then to Fairfield, Wethersfield, Southbury and Southington. George was a well known philanthropist often holding pancake fundraisers for numerous organizations. He also held fundraisers in his restaurants on Thanksgiving Day like the Tip A Cop for Fairfield Police Benefiting Special Olympics.
WASHINGTON–The Connecticut Congressional delegation on Tuesday announced the state has received a record $159.9 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help families keep their homes warm and pay their energy bills this winter. In addition to the annual appropriation of $65.8 million, the state also received $94.1 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan. In 2021, roughly one-third of Connecticut households struggled to pay their electric bills.
“LIHEAP funds are a lifeline for so many families during these cold winter months. No one should be forced to choose between paying their energy bill and putting food on the table. Thanks to federal dollars we helped secure in the American Rescue Plan, more Connecticut families than ever will have the support they need to stay safe and warm this winter,” said members of the Connecticut congressional delegation.
Last week, Murphy, Blumenthal, and Hayes joined a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Richard Glick urging the agency to use its authority to protect consumers from unfairly high energy costs. In October, Murphy and Blumenthal also urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for LIHEAP as swiftly and at the highest level possible.
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202101-08@3:55pm–#Fairfield CT–Resident reported attempted thefts from motor vehicles in the area. It was reported that numerous people, getting in and out of a green sports utility vehicle and a white sedan, were checking door handles of cars. Upon arrival, Officers located a green 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio traveling westbound on Fern Street behind a white sedan. There were several juveniles running towards a nearby residence who quickly returned to the vehicles as the officer approached. The vehicles immediately fled at a high rate of speed towards Birch Street. No pursuit was initiated. The vehicles were last seen by patrol entering Interstate 95 northbound. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio was determined stolen from Barlow Road where it was left unlocked with the keys left inside.
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In Effect From Monday at Noon to Wednesday at Noon
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that as brutally frigid temperatures are expected to impact Connecticut over the next couple of days, he is directing the state’s severe cold weather protocol to be activated beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2022, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. This is the first time the protocol has been enacted during the 2021-2022 winter season.
The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
Anyone in need is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services. Safety measures have been enacted at shelters and warming centers throughout Connecticut to adhere to the needs of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we’ve had relatively mild weather so far this winter, it looks like we are about to receive our first blast of freezing cold air beginning this evening,” Governor Lamont said. “Being outdoors in these arctic conditions for extended periods is not safe, and we must spread the word that shelters and warming centers are open all across Connecticut. If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, call 2-1-1 and they will direct you to a nearby location and they can also provide transportation if necessary.”
The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:
For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares or download the CTPrepares app to mobile devices at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
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STRATFORD – The Stratford Strong Task Force, in collaboration with the Office of Mayor Laura R.
Hoydick, and PlanITROI is reinstating Digital Dreams, a program that will provide refurbished computers,
tablets and smart phones to older residents in need.
The Digital Dreams device collection is a service project in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As a
result of the 2021 device drive, 50 new iPad’s were distributed to members of Stratford’s senior
community, along with technical training to familiarize recipients with their new devices. The Town hopes
to serve more folks this year as the collection has expanded to three days, compared to one day last
year.
This is a drive-thru event. Participants are encouraged to remain in their vehicle. The collection will take
place in the parking lot of the Baldwin Center (1000 Broad Street) at the following times:
Friday, January 14th from 4:30 – 6:30pm
Saturday, January 15th from 10am – 2pm
Monday, January 17th from 10am – 2pm
The following items will be accepted:
Desktop Computers, including any flat panel displays
Laptop Computers
Tablets, with the exception of Amazon devices, such a Kindles
Smartphones, with the exception of iPhones that are iCloud locked or any flip phone
A certificate confirming that all devices have been professionally cleaned and erased will be provided, via
email, to anyone donating an item. The program is a joint effort with the Digital Dreams Project, a
nationwide initiative that restores used devices, which are in turn re-distributed back to the community.
For more information, please visit https://www.digitaldreamsportal.com/donation/Stratford or contact
stratfordstrong@townofstratford.com.
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HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont announced that his administration is launching CareerConneCT, a program designed to help workers whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals will now have access to short-term training programs, where they can earn an industry-recognized credential and enter employment in high-quality and in-demand careers.
Administered by the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, the program is supported through $70 million in funding that Governor Lamont and the state legislature allocated from the state’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Under the program, training providers are eligible to apply for grants over the next four years to design programs that provide industry-recognized credentials and job placement services across several sectors, including manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, clean energy, and other in-demand industries. The program is anticipated to support training for approximately 8,000 participants. Grants will be issued twice per year, every February and August.
The first application round is now open, and training providers can apply through February 20, 2022. Applications can be submitted online by visiting portal.ct.gov/careerconnect.
“CareerConneCT will not only help unemployed individuals find work, but it will also help modernize our workforce and strengthen our economy by providing innovative companies across our state with access to the most educated workforce in the country,” Governor Lamont said. “Thanks to President Biden and our Congressional delegation, Connecticut has the resources to fund these critical job training programs and build back better.”
“CareerConneCT is yet another resource to help our state build back better from the pandemic,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “This program – made possible by federal COVID relief funds – will train thousands of Connecticut residents to compete for in-demand jobs across multiple sectors. Preparing our residents who lost work during the pandemic for these high-quality careers will provide them with financial security in the future and spur Connecticut’s economic resurgence.”
“CareerConneCT has been designed to create a more collaborative and inclusive workforce system, which has been the focus of the Office of Workforce Strategy since its inception,” Connecticut Chief Workforce Officer Dr. Kelli Vallieres said. “Together, these two principles will ensure that no individual, especially from a historically marginalized community or organization, is left behind as we prepare our workforce for a 21st century economy.”
“This program fulfills the mission we set out to accomplish in our strategic plan – to ensure that workers in Connecticut have the skills and support needed to thrive in the modern economy,” Mark Argosh, chair of the Governor’s Workforce Council, said. “The pandemic created urgent challenges for workers, employers, and for the Governor’s Workforce Council. The launch of CareerConneCT is an important milestone in meeting that challenge and breaking down barriers to employment for our residents, particularly those from underrepresented populations.”
For more information on CareerConneCT, visit portal.ct.gov/careerconnect.
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2022-01-078@6:10pm–#Bridgeport CT– There was a report of a pedestrian in the 2000 block of Park Avenue near the Embassy Towers by a city bus that fled the scene. I reached out to police who said The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority asked to have the bus return to the scene. I arrived arrived with 15 minutes and just a GBT supervisor and a police car were on scene. There were no further updates.
2022-01-07@6:13pm–Police responded to Maplewood and Norman Street where a person was robbed of their purse, wallet and iPhone. EMS was also called for a person complaining of chest pains. Police are investigating.
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2022-01-04@2:22pm– A vehicle was stolen from the Dunking Donuts at 3355 Post Road, Southport was stolen, the vehicle was left unlocked with the keys in the ignition. It was later recovered in West Haven by West Haven Police.
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STRATFORD – Mayor Laura R. Hoydick has announced plans for distribution in Stratford of COVID-19 test kits and N95 masks that the Town has received as part of the distribution to Connecticut towns and cities by order of Governor Ned Lamont.
Kits will be made available to Stratford at one distribution point at Short Beach. As the number of kits available will be insufficient to cover all who want them, they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be made available until supply is exhausted.
Carpooling with neighbors and family is encouraged to reduce traffic backup. One kit will be distributed per household. If car passengers demonstrate that they live at differing addresses, the corresponding number of kits will be distributed to the vehicle. Each kit contains two tests.
The kits will be made available at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 9th, at the following location:
1 Dorne Drive, Stratford
Tests will be available only to Stratford residents and distributed through drive-up. Residents should be prepared to demonstrate residency, either through a Town-issued beach sticker, license or identification card, or a utility bill. Those who have received kits through the school system or through previous disbursement from the Town are asked not to come again Sunday for more test kits. Residents will be directed through the drive-up by staff. Everyone in vehicles coming through the drive-up should remain masked the entire time.
Households will continue to have additional opportunities to receive test kits in the coming days as more test kits are made available through the Town, the school system and Federally-Qualified Health Centers.
Residents should note that there continues to be sites available in Stratford for COVID-19 tests, including DeLuca Field parking lot every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (closed Friday Dec. 31st). You can register here: https://coronatestct.com.
Drive-through testing is also available at DOCS Urgent Care Center, 200 East Main Street (Appointments can be made here: https://docsmedicalgroup.com/docsurgentcare/book-appointment-locations/) and at CVS Pharmacy at 1 Hawley Lane (Appointments can be made at http://www.cvs.com ).
Get Vaccinated and Boosted
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has proven to be very contagious, and those who remain unvaccinated should do so as soon as possible. More information on vaccines can be obtained by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal.
Locations for vaccines and boosters in Stratford (appointments required):
The Connecticut Department of Health also has many walk-in clinics available without an appointment:
https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-Van-Clinics?language=en_US
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